A WORLD champion brass band from Bolton will be travelling to Blackpool's Winter Gardens to take part in a national competition.

Smithills School Senior Brass Band will join bands from all over England, Scotland and Wales at the Youth Entertainment Brass Band Entertainment Festival on Sunday February 15.

The top youth bands will compete for the title "Youth Entertainment Champions of Great Britain".

The brass extravaganza is now in its 14th year and promises a fun-packed day of family entertainment with bands performing everything from chart hits to classical greats.

International percussionist Simone Robbello will be making a special appearance and attempting to get into the Guinness Book of Records by completing the fastest xylophone performance of "Flight of the Bumblebee".

A feature will be the "hands-on" room where children are encouraged to have a go under expert guidance.

During the contest each band will play a 20 minute entertainment programme and will be judged on their musical performance and entertainment quality.

The festival begins at 10.30am and will be in full swing until around 7pm.

Tickets are available from the Winter Gardens, on the day, at £4 for adults and £2 for concessions.

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